The 2021 Copa America has no host two weeks ahead of its planned start, after South America’s football confederation CONMEBOL suspended Argentina’s hosting because of the coronavirus.
The decision on Sunday came as Argentina is recording record numbers of infections and imposing lockdown measures.
Argentina was originally to co-host the June 13 to July 10 tournament with Colombia, which however won’t stage matches either owing to anti-government protests.
“In view of the current circumstances, CONMEBOL informs that it has decided to suspend Argentina’s hosting of the Copa America.
“The CONMEBOL is analysing the offer of other countries which have shown interest in hosting the tournament,” the confederation said on Sunday.
No names of countries were given and CONMEBOL added it would provide further details “shortly.”
Just before the surprise announcement, Interior Minister Wado de Pedro had said that, due the health situation in the country, it would be “very hard for the Copa America to be played.”
On Thursday, Argentina registered a record-high number of new coronavirus infections, 41,080, in spite of the country having lockdown measures in place.
The southern hemisphere’s autumn saw a second wave hit Argentina hard.
So far some 3.7 million people have been infected and more than 77,000 people have died, according to official figures.
The Copa was initially scheduled for 2020, but like other continental tournaments pushed back owing to the pandemic.
The invited teams of Australia and Qatar withdrew earlier in the year due to the virus, with the Copa to consist of only the 10 South American teams.
Colombia was stripped of its hosting rights earlier this month after asking to push back the tournament to November.
